Very pleased to introduce a new author to you. I met B. Anne Stevens online last winter when she approached me to endorse her YA Christian mystery, The Rabbit’s Foot, the first novel in a series featuring teen sleuth Ella Strawberry. That book will come out in 2026. I was very happy that she is another author writing Christian mysteries for teens because we are a rare breed, like long-haired iguanas, in the YA Christian field. So happy to have you here, B. Anne explains the call for Christian fiction.

God put everything into writing. Think about that. From Genesis to Revelation, He used people like you and me to communicate His plan of salvation for all humankind. Today, God still calls writers from all walks (and genres) to share their faith through the written word. 

When I tell people I’m writing Christian fiction for girls, I get similar reactions: “We need that so much!” Moms tell me they struggle to find acceptable reading material for their girls from authors they trust. I first saw a need for Christian fiction for young women when I worked with students at a small private college. There was already an obsession with the paranormal, vampires, and zombies. Then in 2011, a controversial book released. It had graphic, deviant adult themes that launched a previously discreet genre, if you will, right up to the surface of mainstream society. The talk about this book caught like wildfire through campus, not just among students but staff too! I was perplexed by this generation’s insatiable consumerism for fantastical, dystopian, supernatural, and yes, dark, storytelling. A question persisted: “Where are the alternatives?” Can Christian fiction ever compete with the secular market? 

Critics say the Bible and fiction don’t mix, and people don’t read fiction to be preached at. True. I know that feeling when there’s a great story line that suddenly jumps the track with an ill-placed scripture verse or a distracting piece of dialogue that’s better suited for a fire-and-brimstone pulpit sermon. It’s a turn off. Is it possible to write exciting stories and present the Gospel without pushing an “agenda” onto the reader? I believe it is. 

You see, those secular themes described above all create an enticing experience. The story delivers a thrilling ride, leaving the reader wanting more. As modern authors of faith-based fiction, we have to think about the experience we offer. We must captivate our readers without jerking them out of the story for the sake of our agenda. Our writing has to keep the page turning, and we must expertly weave Christianity into the narrative so seamlessly that there is spiritual growth as a result. We have to deliver the thrill and the life-changing experience. It’s a tall order, but with a lot of practice, and even more prayer, it can be done. 

Years went by. Life happened. So did the pandemic. The tug remained. In 2022, I took the plunge and joined a writer’s group through American Christian Fiction Writers. My life had new meaning, and I was convinced of my own call to write. I began devoting my time to learning the industry and studying the craft of fiction. At the end of 2024, I received a book contract for my first YA mystery/suspense novel for girls. 

The time has never been better for Christian fiction authors. Research shows both traditional and Indie authors are enjoying a growing and diverse market in Christian fiction across all genres. We need more authors to write more compelling, faith-filled books. How do I know? Moms tell me. The bestseller lists tell me. Our society tells me. God uses writers to bring light to the darkness. 

How do you know if you’re called to write Christian fiction? If it’s on your mind, maybe you’re called. Just as God used ordinary people to write the scriptures, he may use your story to reach that person who won’t ever step foot in church. Be bold. Be daring. Pray. Answer the call and be confident that God will take your words where He wants them to go. 

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